Ferrite powder for bonded magnets, method for producing the same and ferrite bonded magnet

ABSTRACT

A ferrite powder for bonded magnets having a high iHc value usable even in a low temperature environment, a method for producing the same, and a bonded magnet using the ferrite powder and having high iHc value which can be used even in a low temperature environment, wherein a specific surface area is 2.20 m 2 /g or more and less than 3.20 m 2 /g; a compression density is 3.30 g/cm 3  or more and less than 3.60 g/cm 3 , and a compressed molding has a coercive force of 3250 Oe or more and less than 3800 Oe.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a ferrite powder for bonded magnets used for producing a bonded magnet to be used in a low temperature environment, a method for producing the same, and a ferrite based bonded magnet using the ferrite powder.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Ferrite sintered magnet (referred to as a “sintered magnet” in some cases in the present invention) is used for a magnet in which a high magnetic force is required. However, the sintered magnet involves inherent problems such that chipping or cracking occurs, with poor productivity because polishing is required, and processing into a complex shape is difficult. In recent years, there is a demand for replacing the sintered magnet with the ferrite bonded magnet (referred to as a “bonded magnet” in some cases in the present invention). However, when compared to the sintered magnet, a maximum energy product (BH_(max)) is poor in the bonded magnet, and therefore in order to replace the sintered magnet with the bonded magnet, property of BH_(max) is requested to be improved in the bonded magnet.

Generally, BH_(max) is determined by a residual magnetic flux density (Br) and a coercive force (Hc).

Here, Br is expressed by the following formula 1, in which density of magnet is indicated by (ρ), a saturation magnetization of a magnetic powder is indicated by (σs), and an orientation is indicated by (Br/4πls). Br=4π×ρ×σs×(orientation)  Formula 1

On the other hand, Hc is described by the theory of crystal anisotropy, shape anisotropy, and a single magnetic domain structure.

A typical difference between the sintered magnet and the bonded magnet is the value of ρ. ρ of the sintered magnet is about 5.0 g/cm³. In contrast, it is a matter of course that density of the bonded magnet is lower than 5.0 g/cm³ because a binder such as resin and rubber is mixed into a kneaded material (compound) of a raw material in addition to a ferrite powder. Therefore, Br of the bonded magnet is decreased. Accordingly, in order to increase a magnetic force of the bonded magnet, the content (F.C.) of the ferrite powder in the compound is required to be increased.

However, when F.C. of the ferrite powder in the compound is increased, the viscosity of the compound becomes high during kneading of the ferrite powder and the binder, thus increasing a load and reducing the productivity of the compound, resulting in being unable to knead the ferrite powder and the compound in an extreme case. Then, even if the kneading can be performed, the value of fluidity (MFR) is low at the time of molding of the compound, thus reducing the productivity of the molding product, resulting in being unable to mold the compound in an extreme case.

In order to solve such a problem specific to the bonded magnet, the bonded magnet has been improved from a viewpoint of selection of the binder and surface treatment of the ferrite powder, etc. However, it is most important to hold high F.C. of the ferrite powder itself. F.C. of the ferrite powder is highly relevant to a particle size distribution and a compression density of ferrite particles constituting the ferrite powder.

As a method for producing such a ferrite powder for bonded magnets (referred to as “ferrite powder” in some cases in the present invention), an applicant discloses patent document 1.

In patent document 1, the applicant discloses the ferrite powder obtained by mixing the ferrite powder constituted of particles having a plurality of particle sizes. Therefore, in this ferrite powder, there are a plurality of peaks in a particle size distribution.

Further, when the value of a specific surface are (SSA) is high in the particles constituting the ferrite powder, resin (binder) amount adsorbed on the surfaces of the ferrite particles during kneading and molding, is increased, resulting in a reduction of the ratio of the resin that can be freely moved, and causing a reduction of fluidity, and the reducing of the fluidity further causing reduction of orientation during magnetic molding, namely, leading to reduction of Br. Therefore, SSA is set to 1.8 m²/g or less.

On the other hand, 2100 Oe or more coercive force (p-iHc) of a pressurized powder body (called “a compressed molding” hereafter) is realized.

Further, 55 emu/g or more saturation magnetization value σs in a non-oriented state is realized.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

-   Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication No.     2010-263201

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

According to patent document 1 disclosed by inventors of the present invention, ferrite powder with high compression density and high filling property can be obtained.

However, the ferrite bonded magnet used in an environment lower than room temperature, such as below 0° C., has the problem of so-called low temperature demagnetization. Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have conceived that a higher coercive force is required for a ferrite bonded magnet. However, for example, the ferrite powder for a bonded magnet described in Patent Document 1 and the bonded magnet using the same do not satisfy the required coercive force.

For this reason, bonded magnets using rare earth magnets are used in fields requiring high magnetic force of BHmax in a low temperature environment. However, the rare earth magnets are expensive 20 times more expensive than the ferrite magnets and have a problem of being easily rusted.

Under such a circumstance, in the bonded magnet having good workability at a low cost, it is strongly requested to achieve higher BH_(max).

In view of such a circumstance, the present invention is provided, and an object of the present invention is to provide a ferrite powder for bonded magnets having a high iHc value usable even in a low temperature environment, a method for producing the same, and a bonded magnet using the ferrite powder and having high iHc value which can be used even in a low temperature environment.

Means for Solving the Problem

In order to solve the above-described problem, strenuous efforts are made by inventors of the present invention, and it is found that in the production process of the ferrite powder for bonded magnets, in order to increase a compression density for a bonded magnet, coarse powder having a large particle diameter and small fine powder are respectively baked at a predetermined temperature when they are produced, and after mixture, mixing and pulverizing them tinder predetermined conditions, to thereby produce the ferrite powder for bonded magnets. Accordingly, the ferrite powder for bond magnets having a large p-i Hc value can be obtained.

Further, it is found by the inventors of the present invention that a bonded magnet produced using a ferrite powder for bonded magnets having a large p-i Hc value has a high molded article coercive force (inj-iHc), and can withstand the usage in a low temperature environment. Even if the value of inj-iHc decreases by using the bonded magnet having the high inj-i Hc in a low temperature environment, inj-i Hc value with a level of sufficiently satisfying a request can be held, and based on such a knowledge, the present invention is completed.

Namely, a first invention for solving the abovementioned problem is a ferrite powder for bonded magnets, wherein

a specific surface area is 2.20 m²/g or more and less than 3.20 m²/g;

a compression density is 3.30 g/cm³ or more and less than 3.60 g/cm³, and

a compressed molding has a coercive force of 3250 Oe or more and less than 3800 Oe.

A second invention is the ferrite powder for bond magnets, wherein when the ferrite powder for bonded magnets and nylon resin powder are kneaded to obtain a compound of F.C. 91.7 mass %, MFR of the compound is 50 g/10 min or more.

A third invention is the ferrite powders for bond magnets, wherein when the ferrite powder for bonded magnets and nylon resin powder are kneaded to obtain a compound of F.C. 91.7 mass % and when the compound is molded into a bonded magnet, inj-iHc of the bonded magnet is 3600 Oe or more.

A fourth invention is the ferrite powder for bonded magnets, wherein when the ferrite powder for bonded magnets and nylon resin powder are kneaded to obtain a compound of F.C. 91.7 mass % and when the compound is molded into a bonded magnet in a magnetic field of 4.3 kOe, Br of the bonded magnet is 2800 G or more.

A fifth invention is a ferrite bonded magnet produced by molding the ferrite powder for bonded magnets of any one of the first to fourth inventions.

A sixth invention is a ferrite bonded magnet, containing the ferrite powder for bonded magnets of any one of the first to fourth inventions.

A seventh invention is a method for producing a ferrite powder for bonded magnets, including:

granulating a plurality of ferrite raw materials including iron oxide, and obtaining a first granulated material;

sintering the obtained first granulated material at a first temperature, and obtaining a coarse powder of a sintered product;

granulating a plurality of ferrite raw materials including iron oxide, and obtaining a second granulated material;

sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and obtaining fine powder of the sintered product;

mixing the obtained coarse powder and fine powder, to obtain a mixed powder; and

adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture, and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture,

wherein the first temperature is 1180° C. or more and less than 1220° C., and the second temperature is 900° C. or more and 1000° C. or less, and when a mixing ratio of the coarse powder and the fine powder is expressed by [mass of the coarse powder/mass of (coarse powder+fine powder)]×100%, it is 65 mass % or more and less than 75 mass %,

wherein, the mechanical pulverizing force is the force caused by a pulverization processing in which a vibration ball mill with a capacity of 2 to 4 L and power of 0.3 to 0.5 kW, is loaded with steel balls having a diameter of 8 to 14 mm as media, so that pulverization is performed at a rotation number of 1700 to 1900 rpm and an amplitude of 7 to 9 mm, for 20 to 100 minutes as a processing time, or the force equivalent thereto.

Advantage of the Invention

The ferrite powder for bonded magnets of the present invention has a high p-i Hc value. Therefore, even if the bonded magnet produced using the bonded magnet ferrite powder is placed in a low temperature environment and the value of inj-i Hc decreases, the bonded magnet still has a sufficiently high inj-i Hc value, and the bonded magnets with high magnetic force can be produced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing a particle size distribution curve of a ferrite powder according to the present invention, wherein the vertical axis indicates a frequency distribution and the horizontal axis indicates a particle size (μm).

FIG. 2 is a graph showing a cumulative particle size distribution curve of the ferrite powder according to the present invention, wherein the vertical axis indicates a cumulative particle size distribution (volume %) and the horizontal axis indicates the particle size (μm).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

After extensive studies by inventors of the present invention regarding a bonded magnet used in a low temperature environment, it is found that by increasing the inj-iHc value rather than improving a heat resistance like a rare earth-based bonded magnet, the present inventors achieve a technique of developing the bonded magnet having with a level capable of still holding a sufficient value even if the inj-iHc value decreases under an influence of the low temperature environment.

In order to develop the bonded magnet having a sufficient value of the present inventors have conducted intensive studies on the bonded magnet.

Then, it is found that the ferrite powder having p-iHc of 3250 Oe or more and less than 3800 Oe can be produced through the steps of:

granulating a plurality of ferrite raw materials including iron oxide, and obtaining a first granulated material;

sintering the obtained first granulated material at a first temperature, and obtaining a coarse powder of a sintered product;

granulating a plurality of ferrite raw materials including iron oxide, and obtaining a second granulated material;

sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and obtaining fine powder of the sintered product;

mixing the obtained coarse powder and fine powder, to obtain a mixed powder; and

adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture, and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture,

wherein, the mechanical pulverizing force is the force caused by a pulverization processing in which a vibration ball mill with a capacity of 2 to 4 L and power of 0.3 to 0.5 kW, is loaded with steel balls having a diameter of 8 to 14 mm as media, so that pulverization is performed at a rotation number of 1700 to 1900 rpm and an a t de of 7 to 9 mm, for 20 to 100 minutes as a processing time, or the force equivalent thereto.

Then, it is found by the inventors of the present invention, that it is easy to produce the bonded magnet with high magnetic force capable of holding high even in a low temperature environment, by the compound obtained by kneading and mixing the ferrite powder of the present invention having the above configuration, and resin.

Explanation will be given for the present invention in an order of 1.) Ferrite powder of the present invention, 2.) Method for producing the ferrite powder of the present invention, 3.) Compound filled with the ferrite powder of the present invention, and 4.) Bonded magnet obtained by molding the compound of the present invention.

1.) Ferrite Powder of the Present Invention

As described above, the ferrite powder of the present invention has a configuration in which an average particle size obtained by a dry-type laser diffraction measurement is 5 μm or less and 1 μm or more, relative specific surface area (SSA) is 2.20 m²/g or more and less than 3.20 m²/g, compression density (CD) is 3.30 g/cm³ or more and less than 3.60 g/cm³, and p-iHc is 3250 Oe or More and less than 3800 Oe.

Wherein each configuration and an effect thereof of (1) Average particle size, (2) SSA, (3) CD, and (4) p-iHc, will be described.

(1) Average Particle Size

According to the ferrite powder of the present invention, an average particle size of particles is 5 μm or less and 1 μm or more obtained by the dry-type laser diffraction measurement. This is because when the average particle size is 5 μm or less, an orientation and a coercive force after bond magnetized, can be guaranteed. Further, this is because when the average particle size is 1 μm or more, a CD value can be guaranteed.

(2) Specific Surface Area (SSA)

It is found by the inventors of the present invention that SSA is preferably 2.20 m²/g or more. Probably this is because mono-dispersion of particles constituting the ferrite powder is preferable for orientation, wherein the ferrite particles are mono-dispersed particles because SSA is 2.20 m²/g or more.

On the other hand, since SSA is less than 3.20 m²/g, the following situation can be prevented: resin (binder) amount adsorbed on surfaces on the particles constituting the ferrite powder during kneading and molding, is increased and the ratio of resin that can be freely moved is increased accordingly, and it is possible to prevent a situation in which the value of MFR is significantly decreased. This tendency is likely to be remarkable when F.C. of the ferrite powder in the compound is high, and a magnetic field orientation during formation of the magnetic filed is low, and therefore it is found that SSA is preferably set to less than 3.20 m²/g.

As described above, the inventors of the present invention achieve the configuration in which SSA is 2.20 m²/g or more and less than 3.20 m²/g in the ferrite powder of the present invention.

(3) Compressed Density (CD)

CD is an index indicating how much filling of the particles is possible in a limited volume, the ferrite particles being a minimum constituent unit of the bonded magnet, and has a high correlation with Br. On the other hand, in the case of a high CD, the volume of the gaps between particles becomes small, and therefore a resin amount that enters into the gaps of the ferrite powder is seemingly decreased in the compound obtained by mixing and kneading the ferrite powder and nylon-6 resin for example. Therefore, it is found that CD is preferably set to 3.30 g/cm³ or more.

On the other hand, from a viewpoint of guaranteeing a high coercive force (inj-iHc) value of the bonded magnet (molding product) produced in a subsequent step, CD is preferably less than 3.60 g/cm³.

As described above, the inventors of the present invention realize the configuration in which CD is 3.30 g/cm³ or more and less than 3.60 g/cm³ in the ferrite powder for bonded magnets of the present invention.

(4) Coercive Force (p-iHc) of a Compressed Molding

p-iHc is the coercive force of the ferrite powder for bonded magnets, in a state in which there is a history of a mechanical stress caused by being compressed under a high pressure of 2 tons/cm². “Ton” is the meaning of 1000 kg. Generally, during kneading and molding for producing the bonded magnet, the ferrite powder for bonded magnets is subjected to the mechanical stress, and therefore the coercive force is lower than that in a powder state to which the stress is not added.

Here, since there is a high correlation between p-iHc and the coercive force (inj-iHc) of the bonded magnet (molding product), the p-iHc value is an effective index for estimating the inj-iHc value. Accordingly, higher is considered to be preferable. Further, from a viewpoint of securing sufficient it value and ensuring high magnetic force even if the bonded magnet is used in a low temperature environment and the iHc value is decreased, it is found that the ilk value is preferably 3250 Oe or more.

On the other hand, in order to produce the bonded magnet, the p-iHc value is preferably less than 3800 Oe from a viewpoint of guaranteeing easiness of magnetization when the molded molding article is magnetized.

As described above, the inventors of the present invention realize the configuration in which the p-iHc value of the compressed molding using the ferrite powder for bonded magnets of the present invention, is 3250 Oe or more and less than 3800 Oe.

Further, the mechanical stress at the time of kneading and molding for producing the bonded magnet is different depending on F.C. Specifically, although the mechanical stress becomes small by reducing F.C., and decrease of the iHc value becomes small, it is also found that Br is also decreased due to a reduction of a filling amount of the magnetic powder.

For this reason, it is also found that the inj-iHc value is preferably 3600 or more when F.C. is 91.7 mass % for obtaining a sufficient magnetic force.

2.) Method for Producing the Ferrite Powder of the Present Invention

A method for producing a ferrite powder for bonded magnets according to the present invention includes:

(1) granulating a plurality of ferrite raw materials including iron oxide, and obtaining a first granulated material;

(2) sintering the obtained first granulated material at a first temperature, and obtaining a coarse powder of a sintered product;

(3) granulating a plurality of ferrite raw materials including iron oxide, and obtaining a second granulated material;

(4) sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and obtaining fine powder of the sintered product;

(5) mixing the obtained coarse powder and fine powder, to obtain a mixed powder; and

(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture, and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture. Each step will be described hereafter.

(1) The Step of Granulating a Plurality of Ferrite Raw Materials Including Iron Oxide, and Obtaining a First Granulated Material

Iron oxide and strontium carbonate are weighed in a molar ratio of iron oxide:strontium carbonate=5.50 to 6.00:1.

0.10 to 3.0 mass % of flux (oxide, inorganic acid, or salt thereof) is added to the weighed material, and 1.00 to 5.00 mass % of chloride is added and mixed thereinto, to obtain a mixture. The mixture is granulated to obtain a particle with a diameter of about 3 to 10 mm, to thereby obtain the first granulated material.

Here, bismuth oxide, boric acid, borates, sulfates, phosphates, silica, and silicates, etc., can be preferably given as oxides, inorganic acids, or the salt thereof, and two kinds or more of them can be used in combination. KCl, NaCl, LiCl, RbCl, CsCl, BaCl₂, SrCl₂, CaCl₂, and MgCl₂, etc. can be preferably given as chlorides, and two kinds or more of them can be used in combination.

(2) The Step of Sintering the Obtained First Granulated Material at a First Temperature, and Obtaining a Coarse Powder of a Sintered Product

The obtained first granulated material is sintered for 10 to 120 minutes at 1180 to 1220° C., further preferably at 1210° C., under flowing atmosphere of the air, to thereby obtain a sintered product. Then pulverization processing is applied to the sintered product using a roller mill or a hammer mill, to thereby obtain a raw material coarse powder of coarse particles.

(3) The Step of Granulating a Plurality of Ferrite Raw Materials Including Iron Oxide, and Obtaining a Second Granulated Material

Iron oxide and strontium carbonate are weighed and mixed in a molar ratio of iron oxide:strontium carbonate=5.20 to 6.00:1. After mixture, pulverization is performed to obtain particles having a diameter of about 3 to 10 mm.

(4) The Step of Sintering the Obtained Second Granulated Material at a Second Temperature Lower than the First Temperature, and Obtaining Fine Powder of the Sintered Product

The obtained second granulated material is sintered for 10 to 120 minutes at 900° C. to 1000° C. which is a lower temperature than the first temperature under flowing atmosphere of air, to thereby obtain a sintered product. The sintered product is pulverized by the hammer mill, to thereby obtain a raw material coarse powder of fine particles.

(5) The Step of Mixing the Obtained Coarse Powder and Fine Powder

The raw material coarse powder of coarse particles (65 to 75 pts. wt.) obtained by the abovementioned (2), and the raw material coarse powder of fine particles (35 to 25 pts. wt.) obtained by the abovementioned (4) are weighed (at this time, the sum of the raw material coarse powder of coarse particles and the raw material coarse powder of fine particles is 100 pts. wt.). The obtained weighed product is injected into a wet grinder, and water is mixed therein as a solvent, then dispersion processing is applied thereto, to thereby obtain a slurry.

When the obtained coarse powder and the fine powder are mixed, a prescribed CD can be guaranteed in the bonded magnet obtained in the subsequent step if the mixing ratio of the coarse particles is 65 pts. wt. or more (the mixing ratio of the fine particles is 35 pts. wt. or less). On the other hand, if the mixing ratio of the coarse particles is less than 75 pts. wt. (the mixing ratio of the fine particles is 25 pts. wt. or more), a prescribed BH_(max) can be obtained in the bonded magnet obtained in the subsequent step.

The obtained slurry is filtered or dehydrated to obtain a cake, and the cake is dried in the air to obtain a dried cake. Then, the dried cake is crushed, to thereby obtain a mixed powder.

(6) The Step of Adding a Mechanical Pulverizing Force to the Obtained Mixed Powder to Obtain a Pulverized Mixture, and Applying Annealing to the Obtained Pulverized Mixture

A mechanical pulverizing force is added to the obtained mixed powder by crushing the dried cake. Specifically, the mechanical pulverizing force is the force caused by a pulverization processing in which a vibration ball mill with a capacity of 2 to 4 L, preferably 3 L, and power of 0.3 to 0.5 kW, preferably 0.4 kW, is loaded with steel balls having a diameter of 8 to 14 mm, preferably 12 mm as media, so that pulverization is performed at a rotation number of 1700 to 1900 rpm, preferably 1800 rpm and an amplitude of 7 to 9 mm, preferably 8 mm for 20 to 100 minutes as a processing time, or the force equivalent thereto. The vibration ball is preferably made of stainless steel. As a preferable specific example, Uras Vibrator KEC-8-YH by MURAKAMI SEIKI MFG. CO., LTD, can be given.

A grinder is not particularly specified regarding the type and whether it is a batch system or a continuous system, as long as it is the vibration ball mill by which a pulverization strength similar to above can be obtained.

For example by using a vibration mill as the vibration grinder, and applying dry-type pulverization to the obtained mixed powder for 20 minutes or more, the shapes of the particles of fine powder sintered at the second temperature (lower temperature) can be unexpectedly equalized. Then, the equalization of the particle shapes is considered to contribute to improvement of the fluidity of the ferrite powder or improvement of the fluidity of the compound. On the other hand, when the dry-type pulverization time is 100 minutes or less, crystal strain in the particles (coarse particles and fine particles) of the mixed powder caused by the pulverization is not excessive, thus making it easy to eliminate only the crystal strain the subsequent step.

The dry-type pulverization may be the batch system or may be the continuous system. When the dry-type pulverization is performed by the continuous system, frequency, amplitude, supply amounts, and pulverization aids, etc., may be adjusted, to obtain the pulverization strength equivalent to that of the batch system.

After the mechanical pulverizing force is added to the mixed powder of the coarse powder and the fine powder, annealing is applied to the mixed powder at a temperature of 940 to 990° C. for 5 to 60 minutes, to thereby obtain the ferrite powder of the present invention.

3.) Compound Filled with the Ferrite Powder of the Present Invention

The step of producing the compound will be described hereafter.

The ferrite powder, a coupling agent, a lubricant, and resin are weighed, injected and mixed into a mixer, etc., to thereby obtain a mixture.

At this time, the ferrite powder is weighed so as to be a desired F.C. value. The coupling agent, for example, silane coupling agent is preferably weighed by about 0.5 to 1.0 mass %. As the lubricant, for example VPN-212P (manufactured by Henkel) can be preferably used, and about 0.5 to 1.0 mass % is weighed. As the resin, for example nylon-6, etc., can be preferably used.

The obtained mixture is heated so that the resin is heated and melted, and the mixture is kneaded to obtain the compound. It is convenient to knead the mixture in a prescribed size and form it into a pellet.

4.) Bonded Magnet Obtained by Molding the Compound of the Present Invention

By molding the compound of the present invention as described above, the molding product highly filled with the ferrite powder of the present invention can be easily obtained.

As a result, it is also found that the bonded magnet having a high magnetic force with iHc value being the value of 3400 Oe or more can be easily produced.

The step of producing the bonded magnet will be described hereafter.

The kneaded pellet of a prescribe size is injected into an injection molding machine, and a molding product of a desired size is injection-molded at a prescribed temperature and under a molding pressure while applying a magnetic field, to thereby obtain the bonded magnet of the present invention.

In the present invention, the average particle size of the fine powder is made small and the dry-type pulverization is strengthened, which is characteristic of the production method. The p-iHc of the magnetic powder obtained by decreasing the average particle size of the fine powder can be increased.

EXAMPLES Example 1

1.) Production of the Ferrite Powder According to Example 1

(1) The Step of Granulating a Plurality of Ferrite Raw Materials Including Iron Oxide, and Obtaining a First Granulated Material

Iron oxide and strontium carbonate were weighed in a molar ratio of iron oxide 5.87:strontium carbonate 1. 0.17 mass % of boric acid and 2.36 mass % of potassium chloride were added and mixed into the weighed material, and thereafter water was added thereto and the mixture was granulated into a spherical shape with a diameter of 3 to 10 mm, to thereby obtain a first granulated material.

(2) The Step of Sintering the Obtained First Granulated Material at a First Temperature, and Obtaining a Coarse Powder of the Sintered Product

The granulated material was sintered at 1210° C. for 20 minutes under flowing atmosphere of air in a rotary kiln, to thereby obtain a sintered product. A bulk density of the sintered product was 1.6 g/cm³, and it was confirmed that there was almost no progress of sintering between particles.

Treatment was applied to the sintered product by a roller mill, to thereby obtain a coarse powder of the sintered product.

(3) The Step of Granulating a Plurality of Ferrite Raw Materials Including Iron Oxide, and Obtaining a Second Granulated Material

Iron oxide and strontium carbonate were weighed in a molar ratio of iron oxide 5.5:strontium carbonate 1. Water was added thereto and the mixture was granulated into a spherical shape with a diameter of 3 to 10 mm, to thereby obtain a second granulated material.

(4) The Step of Sintering the Obtained Second Granulated Material at a Second Temperature Lower than the First Temperature, and Obtaining a Fine Powder of the Sintered Product

The granulated material was sintered at 970° C. for 20 minutes under flowing atmosphere of air in a rotary kiln, to thereby obtain a sintered product. Treatment was applied to the sintered product by a roller mill, to thereby obtain a fine powder which is a sintered product.

(5) The Step of Mixing the Obtained Coarse Powder and the Fine Powder

The obtained coarse powder (70 pts. wt.), the obtained fine powder (30 pts. wt.), and tap water (150 pts. wt.) were weighed, and injected into a container having a stirring blade, and were stirred for 20 minutes and mixed, to thereby obtain a slurry in which particles of the coarse powder and the fine powder were mono-dispersed. Then, the slurry was filtered and dried (at 150° for 10 hours in the air), to thereby obtain a dry cake.

(6) The Step of Adding a Mechanical Pulverizing Force to the Mixed Powder of the Coarse Powder and the Fine Powder and Further Applying Annealing Thereto

The obtained mixed powder was pulverized by a vibration ball mill (Uras Vibrator KEC-8-YH by MURAKAMI SEIKI MFG. CO., LTD.). The pulverization processing was performed for 28 minutes under a pulverization processing condition of a rotation number: 1800 rpm, an amplitude: 8 mm, and using a steel ball with a diameter of 12 mm as media. The mixed powder to be pulverized was pulverized and annealed for 30 minutes at 960° C. in the air, to thereby obtain the ferrite powder of example 1.

The abovementioned production condition are described in table 1.

FIG. 1A shows a particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of example 1, and FIG. 2A shows a cumulative particle size distribution curve thereof, respectively shown by solid lines. Wherein, it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak.

In the examples and comparative examples of the present invention, a maximum value of the peak is not necessarily required to be a completely independent peak. Namely, when a shoulder is present in a skirt portion of the peak, the shoulder is considered to be another peak.

Table 2 shows the average particle size in the particles of the ferrite powder, peak particle size (2), and values of SSA, CD, and Table 2 also shows a residual magnetic flux density (p-Br) of a compressed molding.

Then, from the values of table 2, it was confirmed that the ferrite powder of example 1 guaranteed the average particle size and the values of SSA, CD, and p-iHc.

2.) Production of the Green Compound

(1) Production of Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %

The ferrite powder 91.7 pts. wt. of example 1, silane coupling agent 0.8 pts. wt., lubricant 0.8 pts. wt., and nylon-6 (powdery shape) 6.7 pts. wt. were weighed, injected and mixed into a mixer, to thereby obtain a mixture. The obtained mixture was kneaded at 230° C., to thereby obtain a kneaded pellet (1) with an average diameter of 2 mm as a pulverized product of the compound. A mass ratio (ferrite powder/nylon-6) in the pellet was 13.7.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1).

(2) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 92.7 Mass %

The ferrite powder 92.7 pts. wt. of example 1, silane coupling agent 0.8 pts. wt., lubricant 0.8 pts. wt., and nylon-6 (powdery shape) 5.7 pts. wt. were weighed, injected and mixed into a mixer, to thereby obtain a mixture. The obtained mixture was kneaded at 230° C., to thereby obtain a kneaded pellet (2) with an average diameter of 2 mm as a pulverized product of the compound. A mass ratio (ferrite powder/nylon-6) in the pellet was 16.3.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (2) of example 1.

3.) Molding of the Compound Acid Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass % and 4.3 kOe Orientation

The obtained kneaded pellet (1) was injected into an injection-molding machine (by SUMITOMO Heavy Industries, Ltd.), and was injection-molded at a temperature of 290° C., with a molding pressure of 8.5 N/mm² in a magnetic field of 4.3 kOe, to thereby obtain the bonded magnet of example 1 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass % and 4.3 kOe orientation) with a columnar shape of diameter 15 mm×height 8 mm (an orientation direction of the magnetic field is a direction along a central axis of a column).

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc (inj-iHc), and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of example 1 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass % and 4.3 kOe orientation).

(2) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 92.7 Mass % and 12 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (2) of example 1 (with F.C. of 92.7 mass %. and 12 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing a similar operation other than the point that the kneaded pellet (2) of example 1 was used, and the magnetic field was set to 12 kOe during injection molding.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc (inj-iHc), and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (2) of example 1 (with F.C. of 92 mass %. and 12 kOe orientation).

4.) Measurement Method

Explanation will be given for a measurement method of each kind of property of the ferrite powder, pellet, and bonded magnet produced in example 1. The same thing can be said for examples 2 to 8 and comparative examples 1 to 8 described hereafter.

<Particle Size Distribution>

Regarding the particle size distribution of the ferrite powder, the particle size distribution can be measured under conditions of focal length=20 mm, a dispersion pressure: 5.0 bar, and a suction pressure: 130 mbar, using a dry laser diffraction particle size distribution measuring device (HELOS & RODLS by Japan Laser Corporation).

Further, three measurement points near the maximum value in the particle size distribution curve were approximated by a quadratic function, and a particle size which was the maximum value of the quadratic function was set as the peak particle size.

<Specific Surface Area (SSA)>

The SSA of the ferrite powder was measured using Monosorb manufactured by Yuasa Ionics Co., Ltd. based on the BET method.

<Compression Density (CD)>

Regarding CD of the ferrite powder, a cylindrical mold having an inner diameter of 2.54 cmϕ was filled with the ferrite powder 10 g, which was then compressed with a pressure of 1 ton/cm². The density of the ferrite powder at this time was used as CD for measuring the particle size distribution.

<Coercive Force (p-iHc) of the Compressed Molding>

p-iHc of the ferrite powder was measured by the following procedure.

(1) The ferrite powder 8 g and polyester resin (P-resin by Japan Geoscience Corp.) 0.4 cc were kneaded in a mortar.

(2) The kneaded product 7 g was injected into a mold having an inner diameter of 15 mmϕ, which was then compressed for 40 seconds at a pressure of 2 tons/cm².

(3) A molding product was extracted from the mold and dried for 30 minutes at 150° C., and thereafter p-iHc of the ferrite powder was measured in a measurement magnetic field of 10 kOe by BH tracer (TRF-5BH manufactured by Toei Kogyo).

<Magnetic Property>

Magnetic properties of the ferrite powder were measured in the measurement magnetic field of 10 kOe, using VSM (VSMP-7-15 manufactured by Toei Industry Co., Ltd.), by injecting the ferrite powder 20 mg and paraffin 30 mg into a cell attached to an apparatus, which was then heated to 80° C. to melt the paraffin, and cooled to a room temperature, to thereby randomly solidify sample particles, and calculate σs (emu/g) and iHc (Oe). 1 Oe corresponds to ¼π10³ [A/m].

<Fluidity (MFR)>

MFR of the kneaded pellet was provided for a melt flow indexer ((melt flow indexer C-5059D2 (in conformity to JISK-7210) by Toyo Seiki Seisakusho), and MFR (unit g/10 min) was obtained by measuring a weight extruded with a load of 10 kg at 270° C. and converting it to an extrusion amount per 10 minutes.

In this specification, MFR is the value measured by the following procedures (1) to (3).

(1) The magnetic powder 91.7 pts. wt. to be measured, silane coupling agent 0.8 pts. wt., lubricant 0.8 pts. wt., and nylon-6 (powdery shape) 6.7 pts. wt., were stirred by a mixer.

(2) The obtained mixture was kneaded at 230° C., and formed into a pellet with an average diameter of 2 mm, as a crushed compound.

(3) The pellet obtained by above (2) was provided for the melt flow indexer, and the weight extruded in 10 minutes under the load of 10 kg at 270° C. was measured as MFR (unit g/10 min).

<Magnetic Properties of the Molding Product>

Magnetic properties of the molding product were evaluated by the following procedures.

(1) The kneaded pellet was injection-molded under molding pressure of 8.5 N/mm² at a temperature of 290° C. in the magnetic field of 4.3 kOe, using an injection molding machine (manufactured by Sumitomo Heavy Industries), to thereby obtain a columnar molding product with diameter 15 mm×height 8 mm (the orientation direction of the magnetic field is the direction along the central axis of the column).

(2) The magnetic properties of the columnar molding product were measured in a measurement magnetic field of 10 kOe by BH tracer (TRF-5BH manufactured by Toei Kogyo).

Example 2

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of example 2 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the temperature for sintering the coarse powder described in “(2) Step of sintering the obtained first granulated material at a first temperate, and obtaining the coarse powder of the sintered product” was set to 1180° C.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1A shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of example 2, and FIG. 2A shows the cumulative particle size distribution curve thereof, respectively by short broken lines, wherein it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size of one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of example 2 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of example 2 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of example 2.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. Of 91.7 Mass %. And 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of example 2 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %, and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of example 2 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of example 2 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Example 3

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of example 3 was obtained by performing a similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the sintering temperature for sintering the coarse powder as described in “(2) Step of sintering the obtained first granulated material at a first temperate, and obtaining the coarse powder of the sintered product” of example 1, was set to 1217° C., and the annealing temperature as described in “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture, and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture” was set to 950° C.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1

FIG. 1A shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of example 3, and FIG. 2A shows the cumulative particle size distribution curve thereof, respectively by long broken lines, wherein it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size at one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of example 3 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of example 3 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (2) of example 3.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

The bonded magnet (1) of example 3 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of example 3 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of example 3 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Example 4

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of example 4 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the sintering temperature in the rotary kiln as described in “(4) Step of sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and obtaining the fine powder of the sintered product” of example 1, was set to 930° C.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1A shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of example 4, and FIG. 2A shows the cumulative particle size distribution curve thereof, respectively by two dot chain lines, wherein it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size at one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of example 4 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet of example 1 other than the point that the ferrite powder of example 4 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) or example 4.

3) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

The bonded magnet (1) of example 4 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of example 4 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of example 4 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Example 5

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of example 5 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the sintering temperature for sintering the coarse powder as described in “(2) Step of sintering the obtained first granulated material at a first temperate, and obtaining the coarse powder of the sintered product” was set to 1180° C., and the mixing ratio of the coarse powder and the fine powder as described in “(5) Step of mixing the obtained coarse powder and fine powder” was set to coarse powder (67 pts. wt.) and fine powder (33 pts. wt.), and the annealing temperature as described in “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture, and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture” was set to 980° C.

The abovementioned production condition is described in table 1.

FIG. 1B shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of example 5, and FIG. 2B shows the cumulative particle size distribution curve thereof, respectively by short broken lines, wherein it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size at one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of example 5 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of example 5 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (2) of example 5.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of example 5 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of example 5 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of example 5 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Example 6

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of example 6 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the pulverization processing time by the vibration ball mill, for the obtained dry cake as described in “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture, and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture” was set to 25 minutes.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1B shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of example 6, and FIG. 2B shows the cumulative particle size distribution curve thereof, respectively by broken lines, wherein it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size at one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of example 6 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of example 6 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of example 6.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of example 6 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of example 6 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of example 6 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Example 7

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of example 7 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the pulverization processing time by the vibration ball mill for the obtained mixed powder as described iii the step of “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture, and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture” was set to 21 minutes.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1B shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of example 7, and FIG. 2B shows the cumulative particle size distribution curve thereof, respectively by long broken lines, wherein it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size at one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of example 7 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of example 7 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of example 7.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of example 7 (with F.C. of 91 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of example 7 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of example 7 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Example 8

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of example 8 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the sintering temperature for sintering the coarse powder as described in “(2) Step of sintering the obtained first granulated material at a first temperate, and obtaining the coarse powder of the sintered product” of example 1, was set to 1217° C., and the sintering temperature in the rotary kiln as described in “(4) Step of sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and obtaining the fine powder of the sintered product” of example 1, was set to 1000° C., and the mixing ratio of the coarse powder and the fine powder as described in “(5) Step of mixing the obtained coarse powder and fine powder” was set to coarse powder (74 pts. wt.) and fine powder (26 pts. wt.).

FIG. 1B shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of example 8, and FIG. 2B shows the cumulative particle size distribution curve thereof, respectively by middle broken lines, wherein it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size at one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of example 8 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of example 8 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of example 8.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of example 8 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of example 8 was used.

In this ease, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of example 8 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Comparative Example 1

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of comparative example 1 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the first sintering temperature as described in the step of “(2) sintering the obtained first granulated material at a first temperature, and obtaining a coarse powder of a sintered product” was set to 1235° C., and the sintering temperature in a rotary kiln as described in the step of “(4) sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and obtaining fine powder of the sintered product” was set to 1070° C., and the pulverization processing time by the vibration ball mill for the obtained mixed powder was set to 14 minutes, and an annealing temperature as described in the step of “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture, and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture” was set to 910° C.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1C shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of comparative example 1, and FIG. 2C shows the cumulative particle size curve thereof, by one-dot chain line respectively, and it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had two mountain-like peaks. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle sizes at two mountains, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 1 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of comparative example 1 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 1.

(2) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 92.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (2) of comparative example 1 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (2) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of comparative example 1 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (2) of comparative example 1.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 1 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 1 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 1 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Comparative Example 2

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of comparative example 2 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the first sintering temperature as described in the step of “(2) sintering the obtained first granulated material at a first temperature, and obtaining a coarse powder of a sintered product” was set to 1235° C., and the sintering temperature under flowing atmosphere of air in a rotary kiln as described in the step of “(4) sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and obtaining fine powder of the sintered product” was set to 1070° C., and the pulverization processing time by the vibration ball mill for the obtained mixed powder was set to 14 minutes, and an annealing temperature as described in the step of “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture” was set to 940° C.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1C shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of comparative example 2, and FIG. 2C shows the cumulative particle size curve thereof, by broken lines respectively, and it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had two mountain-like peaks. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle sizes at two mountains, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 2 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of comparative example 2 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 2.

(2) Production of the Pellet with of 92.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (2) of comparative example 2 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (2) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of comparative example 2 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (2) of comparative example 2.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 2 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 2 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 2 (F.C. 91.7 mass %, and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Comparative Example 3

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of comparative example 3 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the first sintering temperature as described in the step of “(2) sintering the obtained first granulated material at a first temperature, and obtaining a coarse powder of a sintered product” was set to 1280° C., and the sintering temperature under flowing atmosphere of air in a rotary kiln as described in the step of “(4) sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and obtaining fine powder of the sintered product” was set to 1070° C., and the pulverization processing time by the vibration ball mill for the obtained mixed powder as described in the step of “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture” was set to 14 minutes, and an annealing temperature as described in this step was set to 965° C.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1C shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of comparative example 3, and FIG. 2C shows the cumulative particle size curve thereof, by short broken lines respectively, and it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had two mountain-like peaks. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle sizes at two mountains, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 3 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of comparative example 3 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 3.

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 92.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (2) of comparative example 3 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (2) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of comparative example 3 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (2) of comparative example 3.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 3 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 3 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 3 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

(2) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 92.7 Mass %. and 12 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (3) of comparative example 3 (with F.C. of 92.7 mass %. and 12 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (2) of comparative example 3 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (2) of comparative example 3 (with F.C. of 92.7 mass %. and 12 kOe orientation).

Comparative Example 4

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of comparative example 4 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the sintering temperature in a rotary kiln as described in the step of “(4) sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and obtaining fine powder of the sintered product” was set to 1030° C., and the mixing ratio of the coarse powder and the fine powder as described in the step of “(5) mixing the obtained coarse powder and fine powder, to obtain a mixed powder” was set as the coarse powder (90 pts. wt.) and the fine powder (10 pts. wt.), and the pulverization processing time by the vibration ball mill for the obtained dry cake as described in “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture, and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture” was set to 14 minutes.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1C shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of comparative example 4, and FIG. 2C shows the cumulative particle size curve thereof, by one dot chain lines respectively, and it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size at one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 4 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of comparative example 4 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 4.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 4 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 4 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 4 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Comparative Example 5

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of comparative example 5 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the sintering temperature in the rotary kiln as described in the step of “(4) sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature was set to 1100° C., and the pulverization processing time by the vibration ball mill for the obtained mixed powder as described in the step of “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture” was set to 14 minutes.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1C shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of comparative example 5, and FIG. 2C shows the cumulative particle size curve thereof, by two dot chain lines respectively, and it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size at one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 5 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of comparative example 5 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 5.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 5 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 5 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 5 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Comparative Example 6

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of comparative example 6 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the sintering temperature in the rotary kiln as described in the step of “(4) sintering obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature was set to 1100° C., and the pulverization processing time by the vibration ball mill for the obtained mixed powder as described in the step of “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture” was set to 14 minutes, and an annealing temperature as described in this step was set to 1010° C.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1C shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of comparative example 6, and FIG. 2C shows the cumulative particle size curve thereof, by one dot chain lines respectively, and it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size at one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 6 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of comparative example 6 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 6.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 6 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 6 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 6 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Comparative Example 7

1.) Production of the Mixed Powder (Ferrite Powder)

The ferrite powder of comparative example 7 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the sintering temperature for sintering the coarse powder as described in “(2) Step of sintering the obtained first granulated material at a first temperate, and obtaining the coarse powder of the sintered product” of example 1, was set to 1150° C., and the sintering temperature in the rotary kiln as described in the step of “(4) sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature was set to 1100° C., and the pulverization processing time by the vibration ball mill for the obtained mixed powder as described in the step of “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture” was set to 21 minutes.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1C shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of comparative example 7, and FIG. 2C shows the cumulative particle size curve thereof, by short two dot chain lines respectively, and it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size at one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 7 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of comparative example 7 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 7.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 7 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 7 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 7 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

Comparative Example 8

The ferrite powder of comparative example 8 was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the sintering temperature in the rotary kiln as described in “(4) Step of sintering the obtained second granulated material at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and obtaining the fine powder of the sintered product” of example 1, was set to 1100° C., and the pulverization processing time by the vibration ball mill, for the obtained dry cake as described in “(6) adding a mechanical pulverizing force to the obtained mixed powder to obtain a pulverized mixture, and applying annealing to the obtained pulverized mixture” was set to 21 minutes.

The abovementioned production conditions are described in table 1.

FIG. 1C shows the particle size distribution curve of the obtained ferrite powder of comparative example 8, and FIG. 2C shows the cumulative particle size curve thereof, by long broken lines respectively, and it was confirmed that the particle size distribution curve had one mountain-like peak. Table 2 shows the average particle size of the ferrite powder, the peak particle size at one mountain, the values of SSA, CD, p-iHc, and p-Br.

2.) Production of the Compound

(1) Production of the Pellet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %.

Kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 8 was obtained by performing the similar operation as the kneaded pellet (1) of example 1, other than the point that the ferrite powder of comparative example 8 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of MFR of the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 8.

3.) Molding of the Compound and Production of the Bonded Magnet

(1) Production of the Bonded Magnet with F.C. of 91.7 Mass %. and 4.3 kOe Orientation

Bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 8 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %, and 4.3 kOe orientation) was obtained by performing the similar operation as example 1, other than the point that the kneaded pellet (1) of comparative example 8 was used.

In this case, table 3 shows the values of Br, iHc, and BH_(max) of the bonded magnet (1) of comparative example 8 (with F.C. of 91.7 mass %. and 4.3 kOe orientation).

CONCLUSION

The ferrite powder for bonded magnets of examples 1 to 7 realizes a small particle size of the coarse powder and the fine powder by controlling the sintering temperature for the ferrite powder, and obtains a high dispersibility by adding the mechanical pulverizing force to the mixed powder of the coarse powder and the fine powder for a long time, and therefore has SSA of 2.37 to 2.97 m²/g, CD of 3.36 to 3.45 g/cm³, and p-iHc of 3370 to 3700 Oe.

As a result, even when the bonded magnet was produced by molding the compound in which the mixture (F.C. 91.7 mass %) of the ferrite powder for bonded magnets of examples 1 to 8 and resin are kneaded, the ferrite bonded magnet showing iHc of 3610 to 3753 Oe could be easily produced.

TABLE 1 Coarse powder Fine powder Mixed powder Composition Composition Coarse Fe₂O₃/ Sintering Fe₂O₃/ Sintering powder/ Dry-type Annealing SrCO₃ boric Temper- SrCO₃ Temper- Fine powder pulverization Temper- (Molar acid KCl ature Time (Molar ature Time Mixing ratio Time ature ratio) (Mass %) (Mass %) (° C.) (Minutes) ratio) (° C.) (Minutes) (Pts. wt.) (Minutes) (° C.) Example 1 5.87 0.17 2.36 1210 20 5.5 970 20 70/30 28 960 Example 2 5.87 0.17 2.36 1180 20 5.5 970 20 70/30 28 960 Example 3 5.87 0.17 2.36 1217 20 5.5 970 20 70/30 28 950 Example 4 5.87 0.17 2.36 1210 20 5.5 930 20 70/30 28 960 Example 5 5.87 0.17 2.36 1180 20 5.5 970 20 67/33 28 980 Example 6 5.87 0.17 2.36 1210 20 5.5 970 20 70/30 25 960 Example 7 5.87 0.17 2.36 1210 20 5.5 970 20 70/30 21 960 Example 8 5.87 0.17 2.36 1217 20 5.5 1000 20 74/26 28 960 Comparative 5.87 0.17 2.36 1235 20 5.5 1070 20 70/30 14 910 example 1 Comparative 5.87 0.17 2.36 1235 20 5.5 1070 20 70/30 14 940 example 2 Comparative 5.87 0.17 2.36 1280 20 5.5 1070 20 70/30 14 965 example 3 Comparative 5.87 0.17 2.36 1210 20 5.5 1030 20 90/10 14 960 example 4 Comparative 5.87 0.17 2.36 1210 20 5.5 1100 20 70/30 14 960 example 5 Comparative 5.87 0.17 2.36 1210 20 5.5 1100 20 70/30 14 1010 example 6 Comparative 5.87 0.17 2.36 1150 20 5.5 1100 20 70/30 21 960 example 7 Comparative 5.87 0.17 2.36 1210 20 5.5 1100 20 70/30 21 960 example 8

TABLE 2 Peak particle size (1) Peak particle size (2) Average particle size SSA CD p-iHc p-Br (μm) (μm) (μm) (m²/g) (g/cm³) (Oe) (G) Example 1 — 1.9 1.56 2.55 3.40 3500 1950 Example 2 — 1.6 1.33 2.71 3.36 3660 1890 Example 3 — 2.0 1.61 2.50 3.45 3510 1910 Example 4 — 1.8 1.47 2.97 3.39 3610 1940 Example 5 — 1.6 1.32 2.69 3.36 3700 1870 Example 6 — 1.9 1.56 2.83 3.39 3520 1970 Example 7 — 1.9 1.56 2.82 3.39 3570 1950 Example 8 — 2.0 1.61 2.37 3.34 3370 1870 Comparative 1.3 3.5 2.17 1.80 3.64 2370 1960 example 1 Comparative 1.3 3.5 2.30 1.71 3.64 2480 1960 example 2 Comparative 1.3 4.1 2.14 1.68 3.62 2340 2010 example 3 Comparative — 2.4 2.04 2.10 3.38 3100 1970 example 4 Comparative — 2.3 1.93 2.22 3.28 3170 1960 example 5 Comparative — 2.4 1.93 1.90 3.25 3280 1940 example 6 Comparative — 1.5 1.29 2.53 3.16 3780 1920 example 7 Comparative — 2.3 1.96 2.30 3.28 3130 1960 example 8

TABLE 3 F.C.91.7 mass % + nylon-6, 6.7 mass % F.C.92.7 mass % + nylon-6, 5.7 mass % Pellet Bonded magnet Pellet Bonded magnet (1) 4.3 kOe orientation (1) (2) 12 kOe orientation (2) MFR Br iHc BHmax MFR Br iHc BHmax (g/10 min) (G) (Oe) (MGOe) (g/10 min) (G) (Oe) (MGOe) Example 1 55 3006 3634 2.19   1.3 3009 3423 2.17 Example 2 80 3015 3753 2.19 — — — — Example 3 92 3017 3650 2.20 — — — — Example 4 64 2941 3661 2.07 — — — — Example 5 63 2921 3679 2.04 — — — — Example 6 65 2995 3645 2.16 — — — — Example 7 68 2965 3680 2.12 — — — — Example 8 71 2874 3610 1.98 — — — — Comparative 116 3137 2196 2.39 25 — — — example 1 Comparative 105 3142 2349 2.39 24 — — — example 2 Comparative 115 3186 2211 2.46 39 3316 1890 2.61 example 3 Comparative 45 2866 3025 1.96 — — — — example 4 Comparative 51 2849 3108 1.93 — — — — example 5 Comparative 32 2829 3135 1.90 — — — — example 6 Comparative 15 2726 3720 1.71 — — — — example 7 Comparative 27 2920 3095 2.05 — — — — example 8 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A ferrite powder for bonded magnets, wherein: a specific surface area is 2.20 m²/g or more and less than 3.20 m²/g; a compression density is 3.30 g/cm³ or more and less than 3.60 g/cm³, and a coercive force of the ferrite powder after having been compressed under a pressure of 2 tons/cm² is 3250 Oe or more and less than 3800 Oe. 